Organizers optimistic as Lauderdale Live music fest nears

Tourism officials expect many to fly in from out-of-town

December 4, 2013|By Arlene Satchell, Sun Sentinel

Throngs of avid music fans are expected to converge in Fort Lauderdale this weekend for the inaugural Lauderdale Live Festival, which kicks off Friday with a VIP Yacht Discover Experience followed by two days of performances at Huizenga Plaza park on East Las Olas Boulevard.

Ticket sales for the festival, which organizers hope will become a repeat event, have been strong, a spokesman said Wednesday.

"We are incredibly excited by the community response, engagement and involvement in this first year downtown Fort Lauderdale festival," said Don Donahue, vice president of events for organizer Be Music & Entertainment. "We encourage everyone in Fort Lauderdale, during this exciting weekend of many great activities, to head over to Huizenga park to experience some incredible music, food and wine and craft beers."

Tickets can still be purchased at lauderdalelivemusic.com or at the park daily, and start at $59 for single-day entry and $89 for weekend passes. Festival-goers who purchase the premium Captain's Pass also get access to Friday night's line-up of VIP parties aboard three yachts docked along Esplanade Park.

The music festival's featured artists include Huey Lewis & The News, Lyle Lovett, the Indigo Girls and Lee DeWyze, "American Idol"'s season 9 winner.

Tourism officials have been pleased with the buzz surrounding the new festival.

"It's shaping up nicely," said Noelle Stevenson, Film and Entertainment Commissioner for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, who worked with Be Music to launch the event. "Lots of folks are flying in for this."

The CVB estimates the festival will generate at least 2,500 room nights for area hotels.

Local food vendors are also poised to benefit.

"We're hoping for good weather and good crowds," said Anthony "Tony" Fellows of Dania Beach-based HipPops, whose food truck will be selling handcrafted gelato bars and hand-spun milkshakes and other sweet treats at the festival.